Special: The mysterious flame of Jwala Ji temple which burns without oil and wick.
India is a land of mysteries, and every region has a story of faith and devotion that is beyond logic and science, and one such mystery has been burning for more than 500 years and still remains as a symbol of divine presence in the divine temple of Devi Jwala Ji in Kangra. Himachal. What makes the burning flame an enigma is that it burns without oil and wick, making it one of the most unique goddess temples across the world. Let’s find out…Temple of Divine FlamesSituated in the lush green lower Himalayas of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh is the divine abode of Jwala Ji, one of the most powerful Shaktipeeths across the country and holds the spiritual and scientific secret of the continuously burning flame. The temple has nine different flames, each representing a different form of the goddess, such as Mahakali, Durga, Annapurna and Saraswati.
Unlike traditional Hindu temples, where lamps are lit by pouring oil or ghee, the “eternal flames” of Jwala Ji Temple come directly from the cracks in the ancient rocks and are self-manifested flames that have been burning for centuries. It is revered as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, it is believed that the tongue of Goddess Sati fell here and since then, the physical manifestation of the divine is believed to be in the form of flames. Although science has a different perspective, there are stories of devotion and faith in mythology and mythology that remain imprinted in the hearts of devotees through the ages.
beyond beliefFrom a scientific point of view, it is believed that the burning flames of Jwala G are caused by natural gas emissions, but the exact source is still a subject of research. According to experts, the temple rests on underground reserves of natural gas, mainly methane mixed with other hydrocarbons, which seeps from the porous sandstone of the Himalayan foothills. When these gases come in contact with oxygen at the surface, they ignite in the form of flames. While natural gas rigs are found in various parts of the world, the stability and longevity of Jwala Ji’s flames is distinct and remarkable, as they have been burning without interruption for hundreds of years.
Akbar’s attempt to stop the flamesThe mystery of these flames increased the curiosity of powerful rulers. According to legend and historical records, Akbar suspected the flames to be divine and attempted to extinguish them using a massive stream of water through an iron gutter. But despite all their efforts, the flames continued to flicker through the water without interruption. It is believed that realizing the divine power of Jwala ji, he walked barefoot to the temple and offered a golden umbrella as a sign of repentance. According to local stories and beliefs, the goddess rejected this umbrella and the golden umbrella was replaced by a strange, unknown metal.science and studyAmidst the mystery and local belief, in the mid-20th century, the Indian government made efforts to exploit the potential energy source of the temple. Geologists and engineers from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) conducted extensive surveys and drills with the aim of locating vast reserves of gas, which they believed to be the secret behind the temple flames. However, despite deep drilling in the area, they were unable to locate a viable source of natural gas, which made it all the more mysterious.